Rapid Response is a proactive, business‑focused approach to helping employers navigate layoffs or plant closings with minimal disruption. Our team works quickly to coordinate customized, flexible services (in person or virtual) that support your company and your affected employees. We can help you meet federal requirements, access available resources, and explore alternatives that may reduce or prevent layoffs.
Whether facing a closure, a large or small layoff, or a workforce impact from natural or manmade disasters, Rapid Response provides guidance to ease the transition and connect workers to new employment opportunities.
Layoff Aversion Programs
Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program
The Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program , which is administered by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, helps employers avoid layoffs when there is a reduction in available work. An employer can choose to reduce hours for a group of workers and receive part of their unemployment benefits to make up for the lost hours. More information about Shared Work, including program information, eligibility, and application information, can be found on the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations website.
Incumbent Worker Training
Incumbent Worker Training is an employer‑driven program that helps businesses strengthen their workforce by upgrading employee skills. The training supports companies in preventing layoffs, retaining valuable employees, and preparing workers for advancement, which in turn creates opportunities for new entry‑level hires. For more information on Incumbent Worker Training, please visit your local Missouri Job Center to connect with a member of our team.
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act
The WARN Act provides protection to workers, their families, and communities by requiring employers to provide a 60-calendar day notice in advance of covered plant closings and mass layoffs, depending on the circumstance.
A WARN Notice is required when an employer with 100 or more employees lays off at least 50 full‑time employees at a single site within a 30‑day period. This includes situations where 50 to 499 employees are affected and that number represents at least 33% of the workforce, as well as any layoff of 500 or more employees within the same 30‑day window.
Employers are encouraged to give workers notice even when WARN does not require it and to work with state and local agencies to help workers access helpful transition services.
